§ 11-36. Stopping on highway generally.

(a)

No person shall stop a vehicle in such manner as to impede or render dangerous the use of the highway by others, except in the case of an emergency, an accident, or mechanical breakdown. In the event of such an emergency, accident or breakdown, the emergency flashing lights of such vehicle shall be turned on, if the vehicle is equipped with such lights and such lights are operating, and a report of the vehicle's location shall be made to the nearest police officer as soon as practicable and the vehicle shall be moved from the roadway to the shoulder as soon as possible and removed from the shoulder without unnecessary delay. If such vehicle is not promptly removed, such removal may be ordered by a police officer, at the expense of the owner, if the disabled vehicle creates a traffic hazard.

(b)

No vehicle shall be stopped except close to and parallel to the right edge of the curb or roadway, except that a vehicle may be stopped close to and parallel to the left curb or edge of the roadway on one-way streets or may be parked at an angle in cul-de-sacs and where angle parking is otherwise permitted.

(c)

No vehicle shall be stopped at or in the vicinity of a fire, vehicle or airplane accident or other area of emergency, in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard or interfere with police, fire fighters, rescue workers or others whose duty it is to deal with such emergencies. Any vehicle found unlawfully parked in the vicinity of such fire, accident or area of emergency may be removed by order of a police officer or, in the absence of a police officer, by order of the uniformed fire or rescue officer in charge, at the risk and expense of the owner, if such vehicle creates a traffic hazard or interferes with the necessary procedures of police, fire fighters, rescue workers or others whose assigned duty it is to deal with such emergencies. The charge for such removal shall not exceed the actual and necessary cost. Vehicles being used by accredited information services, such as press, radio and television, when being used for the gathering of news, shall be exempted from the provisions of this subsection, except when actually obstructing the police, fire fighters and rescue workers dealing with such emergencies.

(d)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle owned or controlled by the state department of transportation or the county, while actually engaged in the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or emergency road clearance of highways. (10-1-92; 9-21-17.)

(STATE LAW REFERENCE—Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, Secs. 46.2-888—46.2-891.)